MONTHLY GLOBAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY
AUGUST, 2004
Third Installment
(For general comments about the nature of these summaries, as well as
information on how to download the tabular cyclone track files, see
the Author's Note at the end of this summary.)
NOTE: Due to the incredibly high level of tropical cyclone activity
across the Northern Hemisphere during the month of August, I have
decided to disseminate the August summary in four installments in order
to expedite the storm reports and to present them in smaller, more
digestible portions. The installments will be as follows (dates refer
to storms which formed during the indicated time frame):
Part One: August 1 - 9 (Sent 7 October)
Part Two: August 10 - 16 (Sent 19 October)
Part Three: August 17 - 23, plus Monthly Feature (Sent 9 November)
Part Four: August 24 - 31
*************************************************************************
SPECIAL FEATURE - SOURCES OF TROPICAL CYCLONE INFORMATION
The purpose of this section is to list some websites where many and
varied types of tropical cyclone information are archived. Many readers
will know about these already, but for the benefit of those who don't,
I wanted to include them. After a couple of months, I will move this
note to the ending section of the summary.
(1) Aircraft Reconnaissance Information
---------------------------------------
Various types of messages from reconnaissance aircraft may be
retrieved from the following FTP site:
<ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/pub/products/nhc/recon/>
Information regarding how to interpret the coded reconnaissance
messages may be found at the following URL:
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/reconlist.shtml>
Links are also included to websites with further information about the
U. S. Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and the NOAA Air-
craft Operations Center.
(2) Archived Advisories
-----------------------
All the advisory products (public advisories, forecast/advisories,
strike probabilities, discussions, various graphics) issued by TPC/NHC
are archived on TPC's website. For the current year (using 2004 as an
example), the archived products can be found at:
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/index.shtml>
Links to tropical products archives for earlier years are available at
the following URL:
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml>
I am not aware at the moment of any other TCWC which archives all
its tropical cyclone warning/advisory products for public access, but
if I learn of any, I will add them to this list.
(3) Satellite Imagery
---------------------
Satellite images of tropical cyclones in various sensor bands are
available on the NRL Monterrey and University of Wisconsin websites,
courtesy of Jeff Hawkins and Chris Velden and their associates. The
links are:
<http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc_pages/tc_home.html>
<http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/tropic.html>
On the NRL site, the link to past years can be found in the upper left
corner of the screen. For the CIMSS site, a link to data archives is
located in the lower left portion of the screen.
I'm sure there are other sites with available imagery available, and
as I learn of them, I will add the links to this list.
*************************************************************************
AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS
--> Destructive hurricane strikes southwestern Florida communities
--> Large severe hurricane strikes Bahamas and southeastern Florida
--> China struck by two typhoons--one very deadly
--> Two intense typhoons pass through Marianas en route to Japan
--> Typhoon grazes southeastern South Korea
*************************************************************************
***** Feature of the Month for August *****
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES
2004 - 2005 SEASON
and
NORTH INDIAN OCEAN TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES
TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES for the AUSTRALIAN REGION
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology maintains three Tropical
Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC): Perth, Western Australia; Darwin,
Northern Territory; and Brisbane, Queensland. Each centre is allotted
a separate list of tropical cyclone names for tropical cyclones forming
within its area of responsibility (AOR). In addition a TCWC located at
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG)--a former Australian territory--
maintains a list of native names to assign to the very rare tropical
cyclones which form within its AOR.
The AORs of the respective centres are:
(1) Perth - 125E westward to 90E and south of 10S. Currently, and for
at least the next few years, the Perth TCWC will issue warnings for
any systems north of 10S and south and west of the Indonesian islands.
(2) Darwin - 125E eastward to 138E and extending northward to the
equator. There is a little irregularity with the eastern border
in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Darwin TCWC issues High Seas
Warnings for the entire Gulf of Carpentaria, but Brisbane issues
Tropical Cyclone Advices and names cyclones in the eastern portion
of the Gulf. Also, currently, and for at least the next few years,
the Darwin TCWC will issue warnings for any systems west of 125E
and within the Indonesian archipelago in the Banda, Flores, and
Java Seas.
(3) Brisbane - 138E eastward to 160E and generally south of 10S. The
northern border with the Port Moresby AOR is somewhat irregular.
(4) Port Moresby, PNG - immediate vicinity of the island of New Guinea
and eastward to 160E generally north of 10S although the southern
border is somewhat irregular.
Names for the 2004-2005 season (** indicates name has already been
assigned):
Perth Darwin Brisbane Port Moresby
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Phoebe ** George Harvey Guba
Raymond Helen Ingrid Ila
Sally Ira Jim Kama
Tim Jasmine Kate Matere
Vivienne Kim Larry Rowe
Willy Laura Monica Tako
Adeline Matt Nelson
Bertie Narelle Odette
Clare Oswald Pierre
Daryl Penny Rebecca
Emma Sandy
Floyd Tania
Glenda Vernon
Hubert Wendy
Isobel Alfred
TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES for the SOUTHWEST INDIAN OCEAN
and the SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) at Nadi, Fiji, has
tropical cyclone warning responsibility for the South Pacific east of
160E and from the equator to 25S. The Meteorological Service of New
Zealand at Wellington has warning responsibility for waters south of
25S, but almost all tropical cyclones in this basin form north of 25S.
When a rare cyclone forms in the Wellington area of responsibility
(AOR), it usually will be assigned a name from the Fiji list (such as
was done for Tropical Cyclone Gita in February, 1999.)
Tropical cyclone warning responsibility for South Indian waters west
of 90E are shared by several TCWCs. The Regional Specialty
Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the region is the office of Meteo
France on the island of La Reunion. However, following a long-standing
practice, the sub-regional centres at Mauritius and Madagascar share
the responsibility for actually naming tropical storms with Mauritius
naming systems east of 55E and Madagascar covering the area west of
55E. RSMC La Reunion issues warnings for the basin independently of
these sub-regional centres, but only advises regarding when or when not
to assign a name to a developing cyclone.
Names for the 2004-2005 season (** indicates name has already been
assigned):
Southwest Indian South Pacific
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arola ** Neddy Judy Urmil
Bento Ouledi Kerry Vaianu
Chambo Patricia Lola Wati
Daren Qiqita Meena Xavier
Ernest Ramon Nancy Yani
Felapi Sopani Olaf Zita
Gerard Tina Percy Arthur
Hennie Ula Rae Becky
Isang Vera Sheila Cliff
Juliet Willem Tam Daman
Kalo Xaoka
Lilian Yelda
Madi Zuze
TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES for the NORTH INDIAN OCEAN
Several years ago a proposal was made at a meeting of the WMO/ESCAP
Tropical Cyclone Committee to study the possibility of assigning names
to the tropical cyclones of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It
took a few years to work out all the details and secure the consent of
all the nations involved as well as to draft and approve a set of names,
but by the summer of 2004 all the hurdles had been overcome and formal
naming of tropical cyclones in this basin was set to begin on an
experimental basis in September, 2004. IMD didn't have long to wait
to assign the first name--Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil formed very early
in October in the Arabian Sea.
The procedure for assigning names in the North Indian Ocean is
similar to that in place for the Western North Pacific basin. Eight
countries--Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka, Thailand--contributed eight names each. The names are
arranged in eight columns with the nations listed in alphabetical
order. All the names in Column One will be used, followed by the
names in Column Two, etc.
The first eight names to be allotted in the North Indian Ocean basin
are (** indicates name has already been assigned):
Onil ** (Bangladesh)
Agni (India)
Hibaru (Maldives)
Pyarr (Myanmar)
Baaz (Oman)
Fanoos (Pakistan)
Mala (Sri Lanka)
Mukda (Thailand)
***********************************************************************
ACTIVITY BY BASINS
ATLANTIC (ATL) - North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico
Activity for August: 4 tropical storms
1 hurricane
3 intense hurricanes
Sources of Information
----------------------
Most of the information presented below was obtained from the
various tropical cyclone products issued by the Tropical Prediction
Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC) in Miami, Florida:
discussions, public advisories, forecast/advisories, tropical weather
outlooks, special tropical disturbance statements, etc. Some
additional information may have been gleaned from the monthly
summaries prepared by the hurricane specialists and available on
TPC/NHC's website. All references to sustained winds imply a
1-minute averaging period unless otherwise noted.
An interesting article discussing the atmospheric circulation
patterns which led to the incredibly active and destructive Atlantic
hurricane season, as well as information on the effects of individual
cyclones, can be found on CSU's atmospheric sciences website at the
following URL:
<http://tropical.atmos.colostate.edu/Forecasts/2004/oct2004/>
Atlantic Tropical Activity for August
-------------------------------------
Following a stormless June and July, tropical cyclone activity
exploded in August to produce the most active month of August on record.
The average statistics for August (based on 1950-2003) are: 2.7 NS,
1.5 H, and 0.6 IH with an NTC of 24%. During August, 2004, a record
eight tropical storms developed with four reaching hurricane intensity.
Three of the hurricanes became intense hurricanes (Category 3 or higher
on the Saffir/Simpson scale), and the NTC for August was a staggering
84%. And all of the cyclones except Hurricane Danielle had an impact on
land. Hurricane Alex passed a scant 10 miles off Cape Hatteras while
a Category 2 hurricane, and later reached Category 3 status north of the
38th parallel while moving northeastward over the warm Gulf Stream waters
south of the Canadian Maritimes. Tropical Storm Bonnie formed in the
Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near St. Marks, FL, while Hurricane
Charley was gathering steam in the Caribbean. Charley struck western
Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, weakened slightly after crossing the
island, then rapidly intensified into a strong Category 4 hurricane
before making landfall near Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, FL. The
storm crossed the Peninsula, maintaining hurricane intensity, and
exited near Jacksonville. Charley continued north-northeastward and
made a second U. S. landfall in South Carolina.
Hurricane Danielle formed in mid-month near the Cape Verdes but moved
northward over the eastern Atlantic, becoming an impressive Category 2
hurricane. Tropical Storm Earl formed at the same time as Danielle and
moved through the southern Windwards as a tropical storm, but lost its
circulation and was downgraded to a tropical wave in the southeastern
Caribbean. Earl's remnants continued westward, reaching the Eastern
Pacific several days later and ultimately redeveloping into Hurricane
Frank. Tropical Storms Gaston and Hermine were twins forming late in
the month along an old frontal boundary stretching eastward into the
Atlantic from the southeastern U. S. coast. Gaston formed near the
coast and struck South Carolina as a strong tropical storm near hurri-
cane intensity. Hermine formed from another LOW along the same frontal
trough west of Bermuda and moved northward, eventually reaching south-
eastern Massachusetts as a weak tropical storm.
Mighty Hurricane Frances formed on 25 August about midway between the
Lesser Antilles and Africa. Frances moved relentlessly on a west-
northwesterly track which carried it north of the Leeward Islands and
Puerto Rico as it became a large, severe Category 4 hurricane. Frances
slashed its way through the Bahamas, gradually weakening to Category 2
levels during the process. The storm made landfall in southeastern
Florida as a very large, slow-moving Category 2 hurricane--not "major"
by Saffir/Simpson standards, but still causing major damage as it crossed
the Peninsula. Frances emerged into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico and
made a final landfall as a tropical storm near St. Marks, FL.
A strong tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa very late
in August and passed through the Cape Verde Islands on the 31st. The
system was quite well-organized at one point, and SAB assigned a Dvorak
classification of T2.5/2.5 at 31/1800 UTC. However, the convection
quickly began to diminish and the system was not classified as a
tropical depression at the time. The weak LOW persisted, however, and
over a week later, on 9 September, was briefly upgraded to tropical
depression status. (This system will be mentioned in the September
summary.)
Reports on all the August tropical storms and hurricanes will be
issued according to the schedule below. A special thanks to Kevin
Boyle for writing some of the Atlantic cyclone reports.
Part 1 - Alex, Bonnie
Part 2 - Charley, Danielle, Earl
Part 3 - none
Part 4 - Frances, Gaston, Hermine
*************************************************************************
NORTHEAST PACIFIC (NEP) - North Pacific Ocean East of Longitude 180
Activity for August: 1 tropical depression
3 tropical storms **
1 hurricane
** - one of these storms (Howard) became a hurricane and intense
hurricane in early September
Sources of Information
----------------------
Most of the information presented below was obtained from the
various tropical cyclone products issued by the Tropical Prediction
Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC) in Miami, Florida (or the
Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) in Honolulu, Hawaii, for
locations west of longitude 140W): discussions, public advisories,
forecast/advisories, tropical weather outlooks, special tropical
disturbance statements, etc. Some additional information may have
been gleaned from the monthly summaries prepared by the hurricane
specialists and available on TPC/NHC's website. All references to
sustained winds imply a 1-minute averaging period unless otherwise
noted.
Northeast Pacific Tropical Activity for August
----------------------------------------------
Tropical cyclone activity was near normal in the Eastern North Pacific
during August. August averages for the period 1971-2003 are about 4 NS,
2 H, and one IH. August, 2004, produced four NS but only one hurricane;
however, the final storm, Howard, became a Category 4 hurricane during
the early days of September. Estelle formed rather far west from the
same tropical wave which had earlier spawned Atlantic Hurricane Charley
and moved into the Central North Pacific. The other three storms formed
much nearer the Mexican coast but moved generally northwestward away
from the mainland with only minimal effects felt along the coastline.
Reports on all the August tropical storms and hurricanes will be
issued according to the schedule below. A special thanks to John
Wallace and Kevin Boyle for writing most of the NEP cyclone reports.
Part 1 - none
Part 2 - none
Part 3 - Estelle, Frank (including TD-09E)
Part 4 - Georgette, Howard
TROPICAL STORM ESTELLE
(TC-07E)
19 - 26 August
------------------------------------------
A. Storm Origins
----------------
According to TPC/NHC's Eastern North Pacific monthly summary for
August, the precursor of Tropical Storm Estelle was the same African
wave which had spawned Caribbean Hurricane Charley. The wave was first
mentioned in the Pacific in a STWO issued at 1700 UTC on 12 August.
Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad low-pressure area had
become a little better organized about 650 nm south of Cabo San Lucas.
However, upper-level winds were only marginally favorable for further
development. The system was then moving west-northwestward at about
13 kts. The system was dropped from the outlooks after 1100 UTC on the
14th as it had become less organized about 700 nm southwest of Cabo San
Lucas.
At 0500 UTC on 18 August the system was located in the far western
part of the Eastern North Pacific region about 1225 nm southwest of Cabo
San Lucas. It was moving westward at 13 kts and conditions appeared
somewhat conducive to further intensification. As the 18th wore on the
disturbance gradually exhibited increased organization, and at 0900 UTC
on 19 August, the first NHC advisory on Tropical Depression 07E was
issued. TD-07E was then located over 1400 nm west-southwest of Cabo
San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
B. Synoptic History
-------------------
The depression was rather slow to intensify. Deep convection
decreased both in coverage and organization during the afternoon of the
19th, and Dvorak classifications were still at T2.0 or lower. Deep
convection began to make a comeback during the evening, and the system
was upgraded to Tropical Storm Estelle at 0900 UTC on 20 August when
located about 1600 nm west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas. Dvorak estimates
had reached 35 kts from all three satellite agencies, and a recent Quik-
Scat pass had shown some 35-40 kt rain-flagged vectors. The newly-named
Estelle was tracking west-northwestward at 12 kts south of a subtropical
ridge to the north. During the 20th the cyclone continued to strengthen
with improved banding features noted in both the northern and southern
semicircles, and by evening a cold CDO with tops to -82 C had formed.
The MSW had risen to 55 kts by the time Estelle crossed longitude 140W
and into Honolulu's AOR around 21/0400 UTC.
The first CPHC advisory found Estelle located about 865 nm east-
southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and moving northwestward at 9 kts. The MSW
was upped to 60 kts based on an improved satellite signature, but
Estelle's intensification phase was about to be halted due to increasing
southerly shear along the eastern side of an upper-level trough running
north/south just east of the Big Island. Satellite CI estimates at
21/1800 UTC were still 65 kts from SAB and the Honolulu forecast office,
so the 2100 UTC intensity remained at 60 kts. However, by 22/0300 UTC
the LLCC had become exposed to the southeast of the deep convection and
the intensity was reduced to 55 kts--and the forecaster added that this
might be quite generous. The MSW continued to drop rapidly and Estelle
was reduced to tropical depression status at 23/0000 UTC when located
about 700 nm east-southeast of Hilo.
As Estelle weakened, it returned to a more westerly track as the LLCC,
now decoupled from the mid and upper-level circulation, got caught up in
the trade wind flow. Interestingly, after Estelle had been downgraded
to depression status, the Hawaiian trough with its associated shear began
to move west ahead of the tropical cyclone, allowing a mid and upper-
level ridge to build to the west and north of Estelle. A Hurricane
Hunter aircraft flew through the system on the morning of 23 August and
reported a FLW of 35 kts at 1500 m about 55 nm north of the LLCC. Based
on this the MSW was retained at 30 kts. During this time some of the
models were hinting at the possibility of some modest re-intensification
due to the slightly improved environment, but Estelle continued to slowly
weaken as it moved west-southwestward with the trade winds.
The MSW was reduced to 25 kts at 24/0000 UTC, but CPHC continued
writing advisories for another 48 hours. During the morning of the 25th
convection increased within the outer portions of the circulation, but
no concentration of convection near the LLCC was observed. This renewed
thunderstorm activity was concentrated mainly around the western to
southwestern side some 90 nm from the circulation center with scattered
convection seen within about 130 nm to the east of the center. The
convection was likely in response to instability caused by a weak trough
extending southward from Hawaii, and also possibly to the slightly warmer
SSTs the depression was moving over. However, by the late afternoon of
the 25th the convection was waning and there appeared to be very little
evidence of westerly winds to the south of the center. Hence, the final
advisory on Tropical Depression Estelle was issued at 26/0300 UTC with
the weak 20-kt center located about 300 nm south of the southern tip of
the Big Island of Hawaii.
C. Damage and Casualties
------------------------
No damage or casualties are known to have resulted from Tropical
Storm Estelle.
(Report written by Gary Padgett)
HURRICANE FRANK
(TC-08E)
23 - 26 August
---------------
AND
Tropical Depression
(TC-09E)
23 - 26 August
---------------------------------------
Hurricane Frank originated from the remnants of Tropical Storm Earl,
which had degenerated into a tropical wave in the Caribbean and
subsequently crossed Central America before emerging into the Eastern
North Pacific basin around 18/19 August. The ex-Earl wave was monitored
on NHC/TPC's Tropical Weather Outlooks as the system tracked south of
Mexico until finally satellite images began to show a persistent CDO on
the morning of the 23rd. This feature and the likelihood of further
development prompted NHC to issue the first advisory package on Tropical
Depression 08E at 0900 UTC on 23 August. The depression was then centred
approximately 375 nm south of Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of
the Baja California Peninsula. Moving northwestward at 10 kts, TD-08E
quickly organized to become Tropical Storm Frank at 23/1500 UTC.
A 23/0927 UTC AMSU overpass indicated a tight inner core of convection
with a long convective band that had wrapped more than halfway around
the centre.
Also of interest, a very small disturbance was developing about
700 nm west of Frank and this was to become Tropical Depression 09E.
But before the first advisory would be issued on this system, Tropical
Storm Frank exploded into rapid strengthening mode which took NHC a
little by surprise. The MSW was raised to 55 kts based on the
appearance of a banding eye feature in both visible and infrared
satellite imagery. A well-defined circular eye feature was also visible
on 23/0927 UTC AQUA and 23/1459 UTC SSM/I overpasses. Shortly after the
23/1500 UTC advisory, NHC issued a special advisory denoting this sudden
intensification and accordingly updated the forecast positions and
maximum winds. At 1645 UTC (the issuance time of the special advisory)
Frank was located approximately 335 nm south-southwest of Cabo San
Lucas. Frank reached hurricane intensity at 23/2100 UTC, the same time
that the small disturbance was promoted to Tropical Depression 09E
with 25-kt winds. TD-09E was located about 850 nm west-southwest of
the southern tip of the Baja and about 640 nm west of Hurricane Frank.
At 2100 UTC on 23 August Tropical Depression 09E was moving slowly
eastward at 2 kts. This movement was to be the only suggestion that
Hurricane Frank might be influencing TD-09E's track, and there was
no further interaction observed between the two storms during their
lifetimes. TD-09E was located over marginally warm water and near the
eastern edge of dry air at mid-to upper levels--not the best ingredients
for tropical cyclone development--and the forecast for this system was
for no more than tropical storm intensity. Also, the close proximity of
Frank was expected to limit intensification. Infrared images and micro-
wave data showed a poorly-organized cyclone with the LLCC located to the
south of the deep convection, and this appearance was maintained through
the 24th. The only event worth noting that day was that the MSW was
raised to 30 kts after satellite estimates reached T2.0. Also, TD-09E
had turned onto a westerly heading which was to take it into an
increasingly hostile environment and eventual oblivion. Meanwhile,
Hurricane Frank, which was on a northwesterly heading, had continued its
strengthening phase and reached a peak intensity of 75 kts at 24/1500
UTC when located about 300 nm southwest of Cabo San Lucas.
Hurricane Frank crossed the 26 Deg C isotherm late on the 24th and as
it did so, began to weaken. The intensity was brought down to 65 kts at
0300 UTC on 25 August, and as SSTs were becoming progressively colder
ahead of the storm, both Frank, as well as its neighbour, Tropical
Depression 09E, were forecast to be dissipating in a couple of days.
In fact, Frank blew itself out just as quickly as it had rapidly
strengthened into a hurricane. By 25/0900 UTC the central convection
had diminished considerably, leaving some weak banding features in the
southeastern quadrant. Frank was downgraded to a tropical storm with
50-kt winds at this time, and this intensity was maintained for another
six hours, after which it had become a virtually convection-free vortex.
Frank was downgraded to a tropical depression at 26/0300 UTC when
centred approximately 465 nm west of Cabo San Lucas. TD-09E was faring
no better. The little remaining deep convection had been stripped away
from this weak system by the moderate south-southwesterly shearing
conditions. Both Frank and TD-09E continued for a little while longer
as westward-moving low-level swirls of clouds until NHC signed both their
death warrants at 26/1500 UTC. Frank's final position was approximately
550 nm west of Cabo San Lucas, and TD-09E's final location was roughly
1200 nm west-southwest of the same point.
There were no damages or casualties associated with either of these
systems.
(Report written by Kevin Boyle)
*************************************************************************
NORTHWEST PACIFIC (NWP) - North Pacific Ocean West of Longitude 180
Activity for August: 4 tropical depressions **
3 tropical storms ++
4 typhoons
2 super typhoons
** - all of these were classified as tropical depressions by JMA only
++ - one of these (Malou/15W) was classified as a tropical storm by
several of the Asian TCWCs, but not by JTWC, while another (21W)
was classified as a tropical storm by JTWC only
Sources of Information
----------------------
Most of the information presented below is based upon tropical
cyclone warnings and significant tropical weather outlooks issued
by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center of the U. S. Air Force and
Navy (JTWC), located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In the companion
tropical cyclone tracks file, I normally annotate track coordinates
from some of the various Asian warning centers when their center
positions differ from JTWC's by usually 40-50 nm or more. All
references to sustained winds imply a 1-minute averaging period
unless otherwise noted.
Michael V. Padua of Naga City in the Philippines, owner of the
Typhoon 2000 website, normally sends me cyclone tracks based upon
warnings issued by the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the
Philippines' Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA). Also, Huang Chunliang of Fuzhou City, China,
sends data taken from synoptic observations around the Northwest
Pacific basin. A very special thanks to Michael and Chunliang for
the assistance they so reliably provide.
In the title line for each storm I have referenced all the cyclone
names/numbers I have available: JTWC's depression number, the
JMA-assigned name (if any), JMA's tropical storm numeric designator,
and PAGASA's name for systems forming in or passing through their
area of warning responsibility.
Northwest Pacific Tropical Activity for August
----------------------------------------------
After a rather quiet July, which had come on the heels of a very
active June, the tropics of the Western North Pacific exploded to
produce a very active August. I do not yet have monthly statistics
available for the NWP basin, but if August, 2004, was not the most
active August on record there, it certainly must rank in the Top Five.
Nine systems reached tropical storm intensity, taking into account the
classifications from all the warning agencies. Six of these reached
typhoon intensity and two became super typhoons per JTWC's analysis.
All but one of the six typhoons struck populated areas in the NWP
basin:
Meranti - remained at sea
Rananim - China
Megi - South Korea
Chaba - Marianas, Japan
Aere - Taiwan, China
Songda - Marianas, Okinawa, Japan
Four systems were mentioned as tropical depressions in the High Seas
bulletins issued by JMA. The first of these was carried as a 30-kt
depression on 6 and 7 August. At 06/0600 UTC it was located roughly
600 nm east-southeast of Iwo Jima. The system moved generally in a
northeasterly direction and had weakened by 1200 UTC on the 7th, being
then located about 600 nm west-northwest of Wake Island. JTWC did
carry this system in their STWOs, and at one point assigned a fair
potential for development. A track, based on JMA's bulletins, was
included for this system in the companion August cyclone tracks file.
The remaining three JMA depressions were listed only in the Summary
portion of the High Seas bulletins. One weak circulation was located
in the vicinity of 20N/141E on 8 August and remained quasi-stationary.
Another depression, near 18N/133E, was mentioned only once, at 13/1200
UTC. The final of the three occurred on 27 and 28 August, being quasi-
stationary just west of the International Dateline near 10N/178E. JTWC
did give this system a fair development potential at one point. No
tracks were included for any of these weaker JMA depressions in the
August tracks file.
Reports on all the August tropical storms and typhoons will be issued
according to the schedule below. A special to Kevin Boyle for writing
several of the NWP cyclone reports, and to Huang Chunliang for sending
much information regarding meteorological observations as well as damage
and casualty figures.
Part 1 - Meranti, Malou, Rananim/Karen
Part 2 - Malakas, Megi/Lawin
Part 3 - Chaba, Aere/Marce
Part 4 - 21W, Songda/Nina
SUPER TYPHOON CHABA
(TC-19W / TY 0416)
18 August - 3 September
-------------------------------------------
Chaba: contributed by Thailand, is a tropical flower--the shoeflower
(genus Hibiscus)
A. Storm Origins
----------------
The origins of the long-lived Chaba lay in an area of convection
which developed and persisted on 18 August about 135 nm north-northwest
of Kwajalein. Animated water vapor imagery indicated cycling convection
while a 200-mb analysis depicted weak to moderate vertical shear and good
diffluence associated with an upper-level LOW to the northeast. The
development potential was assessed as fair. Later on the 18th, at 1230
UTC, JTWC issued a TCFA for the system which was then located about
410 nm northeast of Pohnpei. Convection was increasing and the system's
organization was improving. An 18/0952 UTC SSM/I pass indicated the
presence of a LLCC associated with the deep convection. JTWC issued the
first warning on developing Tropical Depression 19W at 18/1800 UTC,
locating the center approximately 1080 nm east of Guam, moving west-
northwestward at 8 kts with an initial intensity of 30 kts. JMA also
classified the system as a 30-kt tropical depression at 1800 UTC.
B. Synoptic History
-------------------
Tropical Depression 19W was located in a favorable environment for
intensification with good poleward outflow and an outflow linkage with
an upper-level LOW to the northeast. JTWC upgraded the system to
tropical storm status at 0600 UTC on 19 August, and JMA followed suit
six hours later, assigning the name Chaba. At 1200 UTC Tropical Storm
Chaba was located approximately 900 nm east of Guam with 45-kt winds,
moving northwestward at 12 kts. The cyclone was forecast to continue in
a general westerly to west-northwesterly direction under the steering
influence of a ridge to the north. Chaba continued to slowly intensify
as it moved westward on the 19th and 20th. Winds had reached 60 kts
by 20/0000 UTC, and at 1200 UTC JTWC upgraded the cyclone to typhoon
intensity, based on CI estimates of 45 and 65 kts. The storm was then
centered approximately 620 nm east of Guam and moving westward at 14 kts.
(JMA did not upgrade Chaba to typhoon status for another 30 hours.)
JTWC's upgrade to typhoon status was possibly premature--a detailed
analysis around 1800 UTC indicated that the upper-level circulation
might be decoupled from the surface circulation.
However, on the 21st intensification began to accelerate. A 21/0401
UTC AMSU-B pass revealed a large, irregular, cloud-filled eye. The
MSW was upped to 75 kts at 1200 UTC and to 90 kts at 1800 UTC, based
on CI estimates of 77 and 90 kts. Also at 1800 UTC, JTWC upgraded
Chaba to a 75-kt typhoon. The cyclone was located approximately 185 nm
east-southeast of Saipan and tracking westward at 15 kts. The 22nd of
August was a stormy day in the Mariana Islands. The intensifying typhoon
approached, passing between Tinian and Rota shortly after 1200 UTC. The
MSW had increased to 125 kts by this time, and by 1800 UTC had jumped
up to 155 kts, making Chaba the 4th super typhoon of the year. At 1200
UTC the center of Typhoon Chaba was located about 20 nm northeast of Rota
and about 40 nm south of Tinian.
After passing the Marianas Super Typhoon Chaba began to track toward
the west-northwest and later northwest as it moved around the south-
western periphery of the steering ridge. Satellite CI estimates remained
at 140 and 155 kts throughout the 23rd; consequently JTWC's MSW estimate
remained at 155 kts until 1800 UTC, when it was reduced slightly to
150 kts. JMA increased their 10-min avg MSW estimate to 105 kts at
22/1800 UTC where it remained pegged for 36 hours. At its peak Chaba
was an average-sized typhoon with gales covering an area roughly 400 nm
in diameter. At 23/1800 UTC the typhoon was centered approximately
465 nm south of Iwo Jima, moving northwestward at 11 kts. Chaba under-
went a slight weakening on the 24th with the intensity dropping to
140 kts at 1200 UTC, but by 1800 UTC had re-intensified slightly to
150 kts. JMA's 10-min avg MSW reached a peak of 110 kts at 24/0600
UTC and remained at that level until 26/0000 UTC. The minimum central
pressure estimated by JMA was 910 hPa. Super Typhoon Chaba continued
tracking northwestward on the 24th and at 1800 UTC was located about
325 nm south-southwest of Iwo Jima.
Chaba's track became increasingly north-northwesterly on 25 August
as it tracked around the western periphery of the ridge. The storm
maintained intensity with JMA's 10-min avg MSW remaining at 110 kts
and JTWC's 1-min avg MSW dropping to only 145 kts. At 1800 UTC on
the 25th the cyclone was centered about 530 nm east-southeast of Okinawa
and moving north-northwestward at 8 kts. Some weakening occurred on the
26th with a substantial weakening of the convection in the northern
semicircle due to dry air entrainment. By 1800 UTC the MSW had
dropped to 110 kts (95 kts per JMA) and deep convection was confined
mainly to the southern and eastern sides of the system. Typhoon Chaba
was located at 1800 UTC about 470 nm southeast of Sasebo, Japan, and
still moving slowly in a north-northwesterly direction. Over the next
24 hours the cyclone's forward motion gradually slowed down such that
by 27/1800 UTC it had almost come to a standstill about 390 nm south-
east of Sasebo. Convection along the northern periphery made a slight
comeback during the 27th, and a 27/0932 UTC SSM/I pass revealed that
Chaba had developed concentric eyewalls. After weakening to 100 kts
at 27/0600 UTC, the MSW was upped back to 115 kts at 1800 UTC.
Chaba began to track more to the west-northwest on 28 August due to
weak ridging northeast of the system. The intensity remained at 115 kts
until 28/1200 UTC, when it was lowered to 110 kts. Satellite imagery
around this time suggested that Typhoon Chaba was undergoing an eyewall
replacement cycle. At 1800 UTC the cyclone was centered approximately
330 nm south-southeast of Sasebo, tracking west-northwestward at 7 kts.
Slow weakening ensued on the 29th due to dry air intrusion and land
interaction with Chaba's intensity dropping to 90 kts by 1800 UTC. In
response to a longwave trough entering the Sea of Japan, the storm's
motion became increasingly poleward--at 1800 UTC Chaba was located
165 nm south of Sasebo and moving north-northwestward at 8 kts. By
0000 UTC on 30 August the typhoon was accelerating to the north-
northeast as it made landfall over extreme southeastern Kyushu. The
MSW estimates from JTWC and JMA at this time were 85 kts and 80 kts,
respectively.
At 30/0600 UTC Chaba was located over northern Kyushu about 80 km
southwest of Iwakuni, and six hours later was crossing southwestern
Honshu as it continued to accelerate. By 1800 UTC the weakening cyclone
had emerged over the Sea of Japan and was downgraded to tropical storm
status by both JTWC and JMA. It was then centered approximately 315 nm
west-southwest of Misawa, Japan, and was racing northeastward at 31 kts.
Peak winds were estimated at 60 kts by both agencies as Chaba slowly
began the transition into an extratropical cyclone. Chaba subsequently
crossed the extreme northern tip of Honshu and eastern Hokkaido. JTWC
issued their final warning at 31/0600 UTC when the by-now extratropical
gale was located about 220 nm north-northeast of Misawa and racing north-
eastward at 43 kts. JMA followed suit and declared Chaba extratropical
at 1200 UTC. The extratropical LOW moved into the Sea of Okhotsk and
became quasi-stationary just east of Sakhalin Island for several days
as it slowly wound down. By 0000 UTC on 3 September the former super
typhoon had weakened into a 25-kt low-pressure area.
C. Meteorological Observations in the Marianas
----------------------------------------------
As Typhoon Chaba passed through the Mariana Islands, Saipan reported
a maximum 1-min avg sustained wind of 49 kts with a peak gust of 61 kts
at 22/1209 UTC. A report of 130-kt winds gusting to 150 kts at 22/1454
UTC which was noted in one of the JTWC warnings appears to be spurious.
The NWS office at Agana, Guam, measured a 24-hour rainfall total of
144 mm between 21/1200 and 22/1200 UTC.
D. Japanese Meteorological Observations
---------------------------------------
The information in this section was supplied by Huang Chunliang
of Fuzhou City, China. A special thanks to Chunliang for sending
the data. (To convert metres/second (m/s) to knots, divide by
0.51444, or for an approximate conversion, just double the m/s value.)
NOTE: "*" = record-breaking values for relevant stations.
{Part I}. Landfalls (based on the JMA warnings)
===============================================
1. Severe Typhoon 0416 (CHABA) made landfall near Kushikino City,
Kagoshima Prefecture around 30/0030 UTC with a MSW of 40 m/s and a
CP of 950 hPa, making it the first typhoon (named tropical cyclone)
that made landfall over Kyushu in nearly 5 years (since Bart, which
made landfall on the 23rd of Sep, 1999).
2. Severe Typhoon 0416 (CHABA) made landfall near Hofu City, Yamaguchi
Prefecture around 30/0800 UTC with a MSW of 35 m/s and a CP of 965 hPa.
3. Typhoon 0416 (CHABA) made landfall near Tomakomai City, Hokkaido
around 31/0500 UTC with a MSW of 30 m/s and a CP of 975 hPa.
{Part II}. Top-5 storm totals [26/1500-31/1500 UTC]
===================================================
Ranking Prefecture Station Rainfall (mm)
------------------------------------------------------------
01 Miyazaki Ebino 821
02 Nara Mt.Hidegatake 797
03 Miyazaki Mikado 756
04 Miyazaki Kamishiiba 560
05 Miyazaki Miyakonojo 544
{Part III}. Top-5 daily rainfall obs
====================================
Ranking Prefecture Station Rainfall (mm)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
01 Miyazaki Mikado *584 [29/1500-30/1500Z]
02 Miyazaki Ebino 531 [29/1500-30/1500Z]
03 Ehime Jojushya 485 [29/1500-30/1500Z]
04 Kochi Hongawa 483 [29/1500-30/1500Z]
05 Kagoshima Koniya 417 [28/1500-29/1500Z]
{Part IV}. Hourly rainfall obs
==============================
No value >= 100 mm.
{Part V}. Top-5 peak sustained wind (10-min avg) obs
====================================================
Ranking Station Peak wind (mps)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
01 Murotomisaki, Kochi (WMO47899, Alt 185m) 46.8 [30/1030Z]
02 Seto, Ehime (JMA73341, Alt 143m) 39 [30/0610Z]
03 Aburatsu, Miyazaki (WMO47835, Alt 3m) *37.0 [29/2320Z]
04 Tobishima, Yamagata (JMA35002, Alt 58m) *36 [31/0040Z]
05 Tomogashima, Wakayama (JMA65036, Alt 43m) *33 [30/1410Z]
{Part VI}. Top-5 peak gust obs
==============================
Ranking Station Peak wind (mps)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
01 Murotomisaki, Kochi (WMO47899, Alt 185m) 58.3 [30/1028Z]
02 Makurazaki, Kagoshima (WMO47831, Alt 30m) 58.1 [29/1737Z]
03 Aburatsu, Miyazaki (WMO47835, Alt 3m) *55.8 [30/0147Z]
04 Tokushima, Tokushima (WMO47895, Alt 2m) 54.1 [30/1043Z]
05 Yakushima, Kagoshima (WMO47836, Alt 36m) 50.6 [29/1356Z]
{Part VII}. Top-5 SLP obs
=========================
Ranking Station Min SLP (hPa)
---------------------------------------------------------------
01 Makurazaki, Kagoshima (WMO47831) 953.7 [29/2255Z]
02 Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto (WMO47824) 954.1 [30/0233Z]
03 Kagoshima, Kagoshima (WMO47827) 955.5 [30/0041Z]
04 Naze, Kagoshima (WMO47909) 961.3 [29/0750Z]
05 Yakushima, Kagoshima (WMO47836) 961.4 [29/1940Z]
{Part VIII} References (Japanese versions only)
===============================================
<http://www.data.kishou.go.jp>
<http://www.fukuoka-jma.go.jp>
D. Damage and Casualties
------------------------
The casualty toll in Japan due to Typhoon Chaba was thirteen dead
with four reported missing. Electrical power was lost to 341,700
households, and 13,000 homes were flooded.
Additional articles on the aftermath of Typhoon Chaba can be found
at the following link:
<http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vLND>
(Report written by Gary Padgett with significant contributions by
Huang Chunliang)
TYPHOON AERE
(TC-20W / TY-0417 / MARCE)
19 - 31 August
----------------------------------------------
Aere: contributed by the United States, is the Marshallese word
for 'storm'
A. Storm Origins
----------------
An area of convection developed approximately 250 nm east of Pohnpei
and was included as a suspect area with poor development potential in
JTWC's STWO at 0600 UTC on 13 August. Animated multi-spectral satellite
imagery revealed a weak LLCC situated in an environment of weak vertical
shear and favourable divergence aloft. Deep convection increased in
association with this LLCC on the 14th, and as the system began to
consolidate JTWC issued the first in a series of TCFAs at 15/2200 UTC.
This statement relocated the centre to a position 205 nm east of Fananu.
The next day at 2200 UTC the disturbance was passing 40 nm north of
Chuuk. A second TCFA was required at 17/0300 UTC to cover for a
relocation and placed the centre 220 nm south-southeast of Guam. While
microwave imagery revealed a well-defined mid-level circulation, an
upper-level analysis indicated the area was under moderate shear at this
time.
Another TCFA was issued at 18/0300 UTC as the suspect area passed
260 nm south of Guam. Signs of a weak LLCC were noted south of the deep
convection in animated multi-spectral imagery. A STWO issued at 18/0600
UTC mentioned that while the development potential remained good, the
system had become less organized over the previous six hours. At 18/1230
UTC the potential was dropped to poor after an 18/0330 UTC AMSR-E micro-
wave image failed to show a distinct LLCC. However, deep convection
began to consolidate once again over the LLCC and the potential was
raised to fair at 2200 UTC. The final TCFA was issued at 19/0100 UTC
when the system was passing 100 nm north of Yap. A 200-mb analysis
indicated a more favourable environment with weak shear and good
diffluence aloft. JMA first mentioned the disturbance as a tropical
depression at 19/0600 UTC, and this was followed six hours later by
JTWC's first warning.
B. Synoptic History
-------------------
At the time of the first warning, issued at 1200 UTC on 19 August,
Tropical Depression 20W was located 500 nm west of Guam and heading in a
northwesterly direction at 10 kts along the southwestern periphery of a
mid-level steering ridge. The system didn't appear particularly well-
organized at this time, but it exhibited moderate convection and radial
outflow. Based on low shear in the immediate vicinity of the storm,
further development was expected and the system reached tropical storm
status at 0000 UTC on 20 August. JMA also at this time upgraded the MSW
to 35 kts (10-min avg) and assigned the name Aere. Tropical Storm Aere
was relocated at 20/0600 UTC after animated multi-spectral imagery
revealed that the LLCC had consolidated approximately 100 nm to the
northeast of the 0000 UTC position. An upper-level LOW had been
inhibiting development up to this point. However, the LOW shifted to
the northwest of the tropical cyclone and freed the outflow pattern to
the north. Overall, Tropical Storm Aere was looking healthier and by
20/1800 UTC the MSW had increased to 55 kts.
At 20/0000 UTC Typhoon Aere crossed into PAGASA's AOR and that agency
named it Marce from their internal names list. At 21/0000 UTC Tropical
Storm Aere/Marce was still tracking northwestward some 630 nm southeast
of Okinawa, Japan. It was upgraded to typhoon intensity at 21/0600 UTC
when the MSW had reached 65 kts. Multi-spectral satellite imagery showed
a decrease in convective coverage but cloud tops had cooled sufficiently
enough to support continued intensification. Typhoon Aere's intensity
remained at 65-kts through the 21st and there was little change during
the 22nd. At 22/0000 UTC enhanced water vapor imagery showed that dry
air was being advected into the eastern and northern parts of its
circulation while microwave data showed a lack of symmetric convection
around the LLCC. The system was moving on its continuing northwesterly
track and was located approximately 380 nm south of Naha, Okinawa. Aere
edged a little closer to the Japanese island during the course of the
day. JMA raised their 10-min MSW estimate to typhoon intensity at
22/1200 UTC.
At 23/0000 UTC Typhoon Aere was downgraded to a tropical storm briefly
as shear increased due to a passing shortwave trough. The cyclone was
located 200 nm south of Naha, Okinawa, at this time. Once the trough
had passed by and the shear relaxed, JTWC raised the MSW back up to
65 kts and upgraded Aere back to typhoon strength. This intensity was
maintained for the rest of the 23rd as the storm swayed from west-
northwest to north-northwest and slowed its forward speed. Typhoon Aere
began to intensify and had reached 75 kts by 23/1800 UTC when its 50-nm
eye was located 250 nm south of Naha, Okinawa, and moving away from the
island. At 24/0000 UTC deep convection had decreased to the north of the
eye but the MSW continued to climb and reached a peak intensity of 85 kts
at 24/1200 UTC. Aere's heading had been wobbling from northwest to
west-northwest, but a definite westerly heading was finally established.
As the storm crossed the northern tip of Taiwan it started to feel the
effects of land interaction and subsequently began to weaken.
Typhoon Aere then turned west-southwestward at 25/0000 UTC and made
its closest approach to Taipei, Taiwan, passing approximately 30 nm to
the north. The MSW started to fall as the storm crossed northern Taiwan
and headed into the Taiwan Strait. Aere had weakened to a 65-kt typhoon
by the time it reached the Chinese coastline near Pingtan at 25/1200 UTC.
It then turned southwestward, and this heading persisted into the next
day. This peculiar track carried the storm past Xiamen around 25/1800
UTC and close to Shantou at 26/0000 UTC, seemingly en route to Hong Kong.
At this time Aere was downgraded to tropical storm status and had lost
much of its deep convection, leaving the LLCC completely exposed.
Surface observations from Shantou reported wind speeds of around
10-15 kts. Aere lingered off Guangdong for awhile before turning west,
and at the time of the final warning at 26/1200 UTC, was moving further
inland as a 30-kt tropical depression approximately 115 nm northeast of
Hong Kong. The remnants of Typhoon Aere remained identifiable in
satellite images until around 28 August, and JMA maintained the left-
overs as a tropical depression until 0000 UTC 31 August. JMA, NMCC, and
HKO all estimated peak intensities of 80 kts (10-min avg). CWB
considered Aere as a moderate typhoon with the MSW estimated at 75 kts.
During the time that Aere/Marce was within PAGASA's AOR, the MSW set by
that agency was 65 kts. The typhoon reached its maximum intensity after
crossing PAGASA's western boundary at 23/1800 UTC. The lowest CP
estimated by JMA was 955 mb.
C. Meteorological Observations from Japan
-----------------------------------------
The data in this section was compiled and sent by Huang Chunliang
of Fuzhou City, China. A special thanks to Chunliang for sending the
information. (To convert metres/second (m/s) to knots, divide by
0.51444, or for an approximate conversion, double the m/s value.)
{Part I}. Ryukyu obs
====================
Station Min SLP (hPa) Peak SW (m/s) Peak Gust (m/s)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Miyakojima 971.0 [23/1546Z] 27.2 [23/1600Z] 51.3 [23/1546Z]
Ishigakijima 961.7 [23/2305Z] 34.3 [24/0110Z] 56.0 [24/0036Z]
Iriomotejima 961.1 [24/0037Z] 30.6 [24/0220Z] 45.2 [24/0204Z]
Yonagunijima 976.6 [23/2241Z] 27.3 [23/2320Z] 43.5 [23/2316Z]
Station Storm total (mm)
-------------------------------------------
Miyakojima 280.5 [22/0600-24/1600Z]
Ishigakijima 314.5 [22/2100-25/1400Z]
Iriomotejima 265.0 [22/1400-25/1100Z]
Yonagunijima 202.0 [22/2000-25/0200Z]
Note 1: The 24-hr [23/1500-24-1500Z] accumulations reported by the four
stations reached 164.0 mm, 204.0 mm, 192.5 mm and 147.5 mm, respectively.
Note 2: Miyakojima------WMO47927, Alt 40 m
Ishigakijima----WMO47918, Alt 6 m
Iriomotejima----WMO47917, Alt 9 m
Yonagunijima----WMO47912, Alt 30 m
{Part II}. Focus on Ishigakijima, Okinawa (WMO 47918, ROIG,
24.34 N 124.16E, Alt 6 m)
===========================================================
1. Introduction
---------------
The Island of Ishigakijima spent as long as 8 hrs (approximately)
within Aere's eye, which was about 110 km in diameter, during the storm.
See the next section for the "eye obs".
2. Hourly sustained wind/rain/pressure obs
------------------------------------------
DD/HH (UTC) Wind (mps/dir) Rain in past 1 hr Pressure in hPa
(Land/SLP)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
23/08 17.9/NNE 6.5 mm 983.2/984.5
23/09 18.4/NNE 10.0 mm 982.3/983.6
23/10 16.0/NNE 4.5 mm 980.8/982.0
23/11 19.1/NNE 8.0 mm 979.6/980.8
23/12 19.5/NNE 7.0 mm 978.9/980.1
23/13 18.6/NNE 7.5 mm 976.9/978.1
23/14 21.8/N 8.0 mm 972.7/973.9
23/15 24.6/N 23.0 mm 967.7/968.9
23/16 11.7/N 6.0 mm 963.8/965.0
23/17 6.6/NW 0.0 mm 961.8/963.0
23/18 6.6/NW 0.0 mm 960.9/962.1
23/19 8.2/W 0.0 mm 960.9/962.1
23/20 11.0/WSW 0.5 mm 961.6/962.8
23/21 15.8/SW 0.0 mm 961.8/963.0
23/22 17.7/SW 0.5 mm 961.9/963.1
23/23 23.8/SW 0.0 mm 961.1/962.3
24/00 26.9/SW 2.5 mm 963.1/964.3
24/01 30.6/SW 20.0 mm 965.0/966.2
24/02 32.2/SSW 35.0 mm 971.1/972.3
24/03 28.3/SSW 18.0 mm 974.0/975.2
24/04 27.7/SW 8.5 mm 976.4/977.6
24/05 26.4/SSW 15.0 mm 977.7/978.9
24/06 25.3/S 21.5 mm 980.2/981.5
24/07 22.4/SSW 26.5 mm 980.9/982.2
24/08 22.2/SSW 8.5 mm 982.1/983.4
24/09 22.5/S 9.0 mm 983.1/984.4
24/10 20.8/S 7.0 mm 983.8/985.0
24/11 16.4/S 9.5 mm 986.3/987.6
24/12 15.5/S 5.0 mm 987.2/988.5
24/13 15.8/S 5.0 mm 988.0/989.3
24/14 17.4/S 5.5 mm 987.9/989.2
Note 1: None of the Aere-related hourly sustained winds recorded outside
the period [23/08-24/14Z] reached gale force.
Note 2: The hourly values may not represent the true extrema. Please
refer to Part I for the extrema of the Ishigakijima obs.
{Part III} References (Japanese versions only)
==============================================
<http://www.data.kishou.go.jp>
<http://www.okinawa-jma.go.jp>
D. Meteorological Observations from China
-----------------------------------------
I have not yet received Huang Chunliang's reports of observations
from Taiwan and mainland China. These will be included as an addendum
to a future installment when they become available. Also, they will
be included in the final merged August summary archived on the various
websites listed at the end of this summary.
E. Damage and Casualties
------------------------
News sources to date indicate that Taiwan took the brunt of Typhoon
Aere. Thirty-four people were killed as a result of the storm, and
fifteen died as a mudslide buried a remote mountain village in the north
of the island. Agricultural losses were estimated at 7.7 million New
Taiwan dollars ($US 313,000).
No casualties were reported from China, thanks to the evacuation of
930,000 people from low-lying and coastal areas. More than 40,000
fishing boats were returned to port and flights in the region were
cancelled.
Forty-three deaths in the Philippines were caused by heavy rains
induced by the typhoon. Nearly 16,000 people were evacuated from homes
engulfed in floodwaters. A swollen river near the northern province of
Nueva Ecija blocked traffic on a main road and stranded hundreds of
commuters overnight. Eight provinces in northern and central Luzon
were most severely affected with 70% of the provinces under water at
one point.
Additional articles on the aftermath of Typhoon Aere may be found
at the following link:
<http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vLND>
(Report written by Kevin Boyle with significant contributions by
Huang Chunliang)
*************************************************************************
NORTH INDIAN OCEAN (NIO) - Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea
Activity for August: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
SOUTHWEST INDIAN OCEAN (SWI) - South Indian Ocean West of Longitude 90E
Activity for August: 1 tropical depression
Southwest Indian Ocean Tropical Activity for August
---------------------------------------------------
The 2004-2005 Southern Hemisphere season got off to an early start
with the formation of a tropical depression (designated as Tropical
Depression 01) by Meteo France La Reunion. This system formed just
west of 90E and subsequently moved southeastward into Perth's AOR where
it became Tropical Cyclone Phoebe on 2 September (TC-01S per JTWC).
Since Phoebe became a named cyclone in September, it will be covered
in next month's summary.
*************************************************************************
NORTHWEST AUSTRALIA/SOUTHEAST INDIAN OCEAN (AUW) - From 90E to 135E
Activity for August: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA/CORAL SEA (AUE) - From 135E to 160E
Activity for August: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
SOUTH PACIFIC (SPA) - South Pacific Ocean East of Longitude 160E
Activity for August: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
EXTRA FEATURE
In order to shorten the amount of typing in preparing the narrative
material, I have been in the habit of freely using abbreviations and
acronyms. I have tried to define most of these with the first usage
in a given summary, but I may have missed one now and then. Most of
these are probably understood by a majority of readers but perhaps a
few aren't clear to some. To remedy this I developed a Glossary of
Abbreviations and Acronyms which I first included in the August, 1998
summary. I don't normally include the Glossary in most months in
order to help keep them from being too long. If anyone would like to
receive a copy of the Glossary, please e-mail me and I'll be happy
to send them a copy.
*************************************************************************
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This summary should be considered a very preliminary
overview of the tropical cyclones that occur in each month. The cyclone
tracks (provided separately) will generally be based upon operational
warnings issued by the various tropical cyclone warning centers. The
information contained therein may differ somewhat from the tracking and
intensity information obtained from a "best-track" file which is based
on a detailed post-seasonal analysis of all available data. Information
on where to find official "best-track" files from the various warning
centers will be passed along from time to time.
The track files are not being sent via e-mail. They can be retrieved
from the archive sites listed below. (Note: I do have a limited e-mail
distribution list for the track files. If anyone wishes to receive
these via e-mail, please send me a message.)
Both the summaries and the track files are standard text files
created in DOS editor. Download to disk and use a viewer such as
Notepad or DOS editor to view the files.
The first summary in this series covered the month of October,
1997. Back issues can be obtained from the following websites
(courtesy of Michael Bath, Michael V. Padua, Michael Pitt, and
Chris Landsea):
<http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/>
<http://www.typhoon2000.ph>
<http://mpittweather.com>
<ftp://ftp.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/pub/landsea/padgett/>
Another website where much information about tropical cyclones may
be found is the website for the UK Meteorological Office. Their site
contains a lot of statistical information about tropical cyclones
globally on a monthly basis. The URL is:
<http://www.met-office.gov.uk/sec2/sec2cyclone/sec2cyclone.html>
TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORTS AVAILABLE
JTWC now has available on its website the complete Annual Tropical
Cyclone Report (ATCR) for 2003 (2002-2003 season for the Southern
Hemisphere). ATCRs for earlier years are available also.
The URL is: <http://199.10.200.33/jtwc.html>
Also, TPC/NHC has available on its webpage nice "technicolor"
tracking charts for the 2003 Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific
tropical cyclones; also, storm reports for all the 2003 Atlantic
and Eastern North Pacific cyclones are now available, as well as
track charts and reports on storms from earlier years.
The URL is: <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov>
A special thanks to Michael Bath of McLeans Ridges, New South Wales,
Australia, for assisting me with proofreading the summaries.
PREPARED BY
Gary Padgett
E-mail: garyp@alaweb.com
Phone: 334-222-5327
Kevin Boyle (Eastern Atlantic, Western Northwest Pacific, South
China Sea)
E-mail: newchapelobservatory@btinternet.com
John Wallace (Assistance with Eastern North Pacific)
E-mail: dosidicus@aol.com
Huang Chunliang (Assistance with Western Northwest Pacific, South
China Sea)
E-mail: huangchunliang@hotmail.com
Simon Clarke (Northeast Australia/Coral Sea, South Pacific)
E-mail: saclarke@iprimus.com.au
*************************************************************************
*************************************************************************
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
To unsubscribe from WX-TROPL send e-mail to LISTSERV@PO.UIUC.EDU with
"unsub wx-tropl" in the body of your message. For help with WX-TROPL
write to chris@lib.siu.edu or see http://wxlist.5280tech.com. For more
information on tropical weather products, see the NHC Homepage
at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Dec 05 2008 - 01:15:07 EST